Youth Retreats

Retreats take people away from their everyday lives, social media, school, and relationship drama, and puts them in an environment that allows them to slow down and reflect on the most important things in life: Family, their personal worth, and of course, Jesus Christ.

Families preparing for Confirmation must partake in one spiritual retreat day per year, and St. Joseph's parish offers several options designated by grade level.

Aptos Retreat (High School)

Every year, on the 2nd weekend of November, STJ Youth Ministry holds a retreat at St. Francis Retreat center in Aptos California. It is located right on the beach where the teens are able to experience God’s beauty in nature and God’s love through powerful talks, activities, and the sacraments. It is an unforgettable weekend that all High School teens are welcome to. Contact the Youth Ministry office for details.

Aptos Retreat: November 10-12, 2017

Bus leaves at 5pm on Friday Nov. 10 – PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY

What to bring list:

Sleeping bag or blanket and pillow

Pj’s

Towel

Toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, paste, personal care items)

Extra clothing to get dirty in and shoes

Water bottle

Light jacket, sweater – it gets cold at night

Flashlight

Bible, prayer book

Steubenville Conference (High School)

The Franciscan university of Steubenville puts on Catholic conferences for teens in various locations outside Ohio. And it is so much more than a conference! It’s a full retreat weekend and a transformational experience! Evangelistic in nature and authentically Catholic, Steubenville Conference is a weekend filled with great speakers, engaging music, reverent Mass and prayer, and tremendous fellowship. Through powerful witness, inspiring worship and dynamic liturgies, Steubenville Conference offers youth, young adults and leaders the opportunity to encounter Christ and to see the truth and beauty of our Church. To be loved so that they may go out into the world and love one another! The conference takes places usually in late July or early August. Contact the Youth Ministry office for details. ​

Initiate Retreat (High School)

​As more and more teens are searching for love in all the wrong places, St. Joseph Youth Ministry is here to say, “Look no further.” Jesus Christ is the ultimate love and the ultimate joy and HE has Initiated a relationship with us by dying on the Cross, Resurrecting, and giving us the Church. INITATE is a weekend retreat where teens encounter Christ’s love through the Sacraments, fellowship, forgiveness and healing. It’s the perfect opportunity for any teen to START their journey with STJ Youth. They will meet our High School Leaders and Young Adult Core team. This is the perfect weekend for any High School teen.

8th Grade Retreat

​Our 8th Grade retreat is a one day retreat that focuses on the building a relationship with Jesus through knowing who he is. In turn, we learn about who we are. The retreat is full of testimonies, activities and music lead by our very own High School Peer Ministry group called Militia.

7th Grade Retreat

​St. Joseph’s 7th grade retreat is a retreat for both parents and youth seeking to better understand their role as parent and child in the context of the faith. The retreat is focused on building a personal discipleship to Jesus and sharing that relationship with your child or your parent. It is designed to open up the doors of communication regarding the Catholic Faith.